Design Details: Outbuildings

While they may be relegated to the backyard, these outbuildings are no afterthought.

New homes offer a lot. With their customizable options and made-to-order floor plans, they can give customers what they want in a way that existing homes can never compete with. But even with all the upgrades in the world, sometimes even a new home can’t do it all. That’s when you call in the outbuilding. Whether outfitted as a place for guests, a space for specialized uses, or just a serene spot away from the hustle and bustle of the main home, outbuildings are endlessly adaptable. And given their smaller scale, they offer a perfect opportunity to mix in some quirkier elements that might be too bold for a larger house. Best of all, they give builders a chance to offer buyers something that’s hard to refuse: exactly what they’ve always wanted—whatever that is.